Vocalist Kyle Thomas of legendary New Orleans metallers EXHORDER has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"On behalf of Jay Ceravolo [EXHORDER guitarist] and myself, it is with much regret and disappointment that we are both leaving EXHORDER.

"There is much darkness surrounding EXHORDER at this time due to business and personal differences.

"We extend deep apologies to those that this has both inconvenienced and disappointed.

"In the wake of the passing of [EXHORDER bassist] Frankie Sparcello [in March] and the constant state of disarray that the band has found itself in since reforming, the negatives have far outweighed the positives. We both feel that this is what we must do, and wish that things could have turned out better, as EXHORDER has never attained the potential that it so rightfully should have.

"I wish all of my brothers involved well and good luck in whatever the future brings them, whether or not EXHORDER continues."

EXHORDER relased two albums in the early 1990s through the Roadrunner label — 1990's "Slaughter in the Vatican" and 1992's "The Law" — before breaking up, with Kyle going on to form FLOODGATE (and also briefly appearing live as the vocalist for TROUBLE). Thomas subsequently spent time fronting PITTS VS PREPS, which he described as "center[ing] around the truest sound of heavy metal in the realm of old JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN."

I would say that this is by far the worst year for metal if it weren't for Dio's passing last year, but fucking shit, this comes close. Dismember, Candlemass, and Exhorder breaking up (Those are 2 original members that left, I look at it that way) all in the span of a week.... Fuck, man.